Why Christmas?

Christmas is a strange time of the year.

There are bells and baubles. There are carols and choirs. There are trees and tinsels and turkeys and tarts and treats.

Somewhere - somewhere in there there's a reason for all that. There must be. But who's got the time? We'll all sing the carols and do Christmas. And then that'll be it for another year.

So why do we do this? Why Christmas?

Christians celebrate Christmas to honour the birth of Christ.

Which brings me to my next question. If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, why do you celebrate Christmas?

I read this somewhere:
"What makes Jesus so special that EVERYONE YOU KNOW has to get presents on HIS birthday?"
(I can assume that this wasn't meant to be taken literally and is actually funny)

Before I continue, I need to clear up some points:
1. I am not a religious zealot.
2. I am not condemning anyone nor do I think anyone is a bad person simply because they don't believe in Jesus.
3. Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ.

I can understand that no one wants to have another religion forced on them, but what gives society the right to "sanitize" Christmas just so they can partake in it too? It is Christmas, not Xmas.

This is a Christian holiday, just like Hari Raya Haji is a Muslim holiday. I'm pretty sure that if society were to step in and "participate" and slaughter a chicken (instead of a cow or goat... it is easier to slaughter a chicken right?) without praying, or have a tree as a symbol of their holiday, they wouldn't be too happy about it. Hari Raya Haji may not be in the same league as Christmas is to Christians, but it's still a holy day - as Christmas should be.

I'm not saying that you have to believe in the Christian religion to celebrate Christmas - simply respect that is is a religious and holy day and do not try to sanitize it. If you really want to celebrate something non-religious, there are 364 other days to choose from. Pick one and celebrate.

Somebody tried to explain some of the reasoning behind it. He explained that this is a widely recognised holiday and not everyone in society wants to deal with the religious aspects of it. However, they want to partake in it, so the only option was to sanitize, or ignore, the religious aspects. Therefore creating a comercialised Christmas. Okay... Interesting. While I can understand the reasoning - it doesn't make it right or respectful.

I guess Christians are just as much to blame because we did not stand up and speak as this was slowly happening.

One thing that more people need is tolerance, understanding, and respect.

Ok I'm done ranting. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season, (whatever religion you subscribe to) and a very fruitful new year!